Visitor Parking, Pets & FAQs

Parking at a Glance

The Town of Carolina Beach has 325 metered parking spaces as well as 16 parking lots with close to 700 spaces. Carolina Beach does not offer pay-by-phone parking. SP+ Parking is responsible for ticket issuance, ticket payments, appeals, as well as, meter collection and maintenance. After 7pm, parking is free. Parking fees restart at 8am in all of the Town's parking lots and parking meters. Parking for more than 24 hours at a time is not permitted. For parking services, call SP+ Parking at 910-458-4614. To enjoy overnight camping and 4-wheel drive access head to Freeman Park. Information regarding Freeman Park rules and regulations as well as site availability can be found here. Location of parking spaces/lots in Carolina Beach can be found here.

Handicap Information

All parking spaces designated "Handicap" spaces are free with the display of a handicap parking placard. Visitors may also park in a non-handicap space. The fee is waived so long as a handicap pass is displayed. For information on free beach accessibility equipment/services, call the Carolina Beach Police Department at 910-458-8200 and/or the Carolina Beach Parks & Recreation Department at 910-458-2977.

ASSISTED VACATIONS
Serving the Wilmington area, AV.E Health provides skilled, caring staff to support elders and their family caregivers on vacation.

Four-wheel Access

Driving on the beach is permitted at Freeman Park. Annual, daily and daily holiday passes are available. Only four wheel drive vehicles are allowed. No all wheel or two wheel drive vehicles are permitted. For more information, rules and regulations visit the park website.

Pets & Pooches

All dogs are required to be on a leash at all times. Dogs are allowed on the beach town limits from October 1 to March 31 and before 9 a.m. and after 5 p.m from April 1 - September 30. You must have on your person at all times, a plastic or paper container that can be used to clean up and contain dog waste until it can be disposed of in an appropriate container. Mike Chappell Park located at 501 S Dow Rd, Carolina Beach, has a fenced dog park.

Freeman Park Pet Regulations: Dogs are required to be on a leash from April 1 to September 30. From October 1 to March 31, dogs are allowed off a leash so long as they remain under voice command and the owner is within a reasonable distance from the pet. For further information, please contact the Carolina Beach Police Department at 458-2540.

Lifeguards

Lifeguards are on duty every day from Memorial weekend through Labor Day weekend. Carolina Beach is a USLA Advanced Certified Beach. The lifeguards train and exercise daily for the safety of everyone on the beach. Public access and beach regulations are listed here.

Local Taxes

Sales and use tax on purchases, including food, clothing, and other retail are taxed at the rate of 7%, grocery store food designed to take home is 2%, and prepared food at restaurants is 7%. In addition to the 7% sales tax, there is a local county room occupancy tax at a rate of 6%.